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Painting kitchen cabinets is a great way to give your kitchen a quick and easy facelift. Do-it-yourself (DIY) kitchen cabinets cost thousands of dollars less than hiring a professional, and they’re much easier to paint than to fully replace. However, before starting this home improvement project, you must know how to properly prep and paint.
Read our guide to learn more about the recommended tools and materials for your DIY project, how to prepare and paint kitchen cabinets, common mistakes and how to avoid them, costs, and more.
Recommended Tools and Materials for Your Project
Item | Purpose |
Brushes | The best paintbrushes will allow you to reach tight spots while providing smooth brush strokes |
Caulk | Fill seals and gaps |
Deglosser | Removes the gloss on the existing paint, which makes it possible to paint over |
Drop cloth | Protects countertops and other finished surfaces from paint |
Grit sandpaper | Remove existing paint and provides a smooth surface |
Ladder | To help you access out-of-reach areas |
Paint | Allows you to achieve the color, shade, and finish of your choosing |
Paint tray | Holds paint when using a roller |
Painter’s tape | Helps create clean paint lines and prevents paint from bleeding past edges |
Plastic sheeting | Covers the backsplash, windows, fixed appliances, and interior doorways |
Primer | Acts as a base coat before painting |
Putty knife | Helps fill dents, scratches, or dings |
Rollers | Foam rollers are best when painting large, flat surfaces |
Tack cloth | A special wiping cloth that easily removes dust, dirt, and lint from surfaces before painting |
Wood filler | Fill screw holes if moving hardware |
Benefits of Painting Kitchen Cabinets
There are several advantages to painting your existing kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them.
Cost Savings
Painting your kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them provides significant savings on a full kitchen remodel cost. For example, new kitchen cabinets cost $120 to $1,425 per linear foot, depending on the materials and customization level. This can add up to $28,500 for a small galley kitchen with two 10-foot rows of cabinets. Refinishing only costs about $4–$25 per square foot, or about $900–$5,625 for the project.
Eco-Friendly
Reusing existing cabinets has environmental benefits. Repainting reduces waste and prevents cabinets from ending up in landfills. Additionally, many paints are low-VOC (low in volatile organic compounds) or VOC-free, which is safer for your home and the environment.
Easier Than Replacing
Painting is a less complex project than a full remodel. It requires much less time to paint than it does to start from scratch. Painting kitchen cabinets takes about three days, whereas a new installation can take a few days to a couple of weeks.
Should You DIY or Hire a Pro?
Keep these key considerations in mind when deciding to DIY or hire professional painters.
DIY Cabinet Painting
DIY cabinet painting is a time-intensive job that requires patience and close attention to detail if you don’t want to leave roller marks or brush strokes. You’ll need to purchase all the necessary tools and materials for the project, including paint, primer, brushes, rollers, sandpaper, cleaning supplies, and protective gear. Painting kitchen cabinets will take about three days, but it could take longer, depending on the size of your kitchen.
Don’t rush the meticulous prep work. Good prep work helps the paint adhere to the surface and ensures paint only goes on the surfaces you’re painting.
Professional Cabinet Painting
A professional painter can complete the job quickly and efficiently with guaranteed results. Painters will handle all prep work and bring the required materials to finish the job with a better-quality finish. The main downside to professional cabinet painting is the higher cost, which ranges from $20–$50 per hour, on top of the cost of supplies.* This adds up to about $840 to complete the project, but some projects range from $300–$7,200.
*All cost data in this article is sourced from contractor estimates used by Angi.
How To Choose the Right Paint Color for Your Kitchen Cabinets
When choosing the best paint color, select a hue and shade that best complements the kitchen’s style, lighting, and overall aesthetic. Look at the other elements in your kitchen, including countertops, backsplash, wall color, flooring, hardware, and fixed appliances, to find a cabinet color that goes with your kitchen’s current color palette. White and gray are both classic colors that go with a wide range of colors and styles. The paint’s finish—high gloss, no gloss, flat, matte, or faux—is another important consideration. Paints with a higher gloss or sheens are generally more durable and easier to clean.
Consider using paint samples or swatches to test colors in the space. If you end up changing your mind, you can always paint them again in the future.
How To Prep and Paint Kitchen Cabinets
Once you have the tools and materials, you can start your kitchen cabinet painting project. Here’s our step-by-step guide covering the process from start to finish. Be careful not to skip any of these important steps.
Step 1: Set Up Your Workspace for Cabinet Painting
The first step is to prepare your kitchen for cabinet painting, protect surfaces, and ensure proper ventilation. Here’s how:
- Empty the cabinets, clear off the counters, and remove freestanding appliances.
- Relocate tables and other furniture to another room.
- Drape drop cloths over the countertops and flooring.
- Tape plastic sheeting over the backsplash, windows, fixed appliances, and interior doorways.
- Mask off the wall around the cabinets.
- Set up a worktable for painting doors, drawers, and shelves.
- Open the windows for ventilation.
- Wear appropriate protective clothing and gear.
Step 2: Remove Cabinet Doors, Drawers, and Hardware
Painting cabinet doors and drawers is much easier when they’re lying flat.
- Take the screwdriver and remove the cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware.
- Place all pieces on your work table.
- Mark each drawer and cabinet behind the hinge location with a marker and a piece of painter’s tape to prevent the doors from being mixed up.
- At the work table, remove the pulls and hinges and set them aside.
Step 3: Clean Kitchen Cabinet Surfaces Thoroughly
Cleaning the cabinets and removing dirt and grime ensures the paint sticks to its surface.
- Clean the cabinet by spraying the surface with a degreaser or trisodium phosphate (TSP) and wiping it down with a rag. This removes oils and grease for a perfect finish.
- Follow all safety precautions on the cleaning solution’s container.
- Rinse the cabinets thoroughly with water and let them dry.
Step 4: Sand Cabinet Doors and Boxes
Remove existing paint and smooth the cabinet doors and boxes with medium grit sandpaper. Here are some tips for hand and power sanding:
- Use a liquid deglosser to scrub down the surfaces. Use a rag to catch drips and wipe away the residue.
- Fold the sandpaper in half or use a sanding block to sand the cabinet surfaces, including the frames and doors. Make sure to sand with the grain.
- If you’re using an electric sander, sand back and forth in parallel strokes along the wood’s grain.
- Use a tack cloth to remove sanding dust.
- Vacuum the cabinets inside and out to make sure there’s no dust.
- Do a final wipe-down with the tack cloth.
![](https://s42814.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/cabinet_paint-scaled.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Step 5: Fill Nicks, Dents, and Scuffs on Cabinet Surfaces
Use wood filler to repair minor surface imperfections before priming. Follow these tips for a smooth application:
- Place the wood filler on surface imperfections and smooth it out with a putty knife. Wait for it to dry.
- Sand areas with wood filler using 100-grit sandpaper.
- Vacuum up the dust and wipe it down with a tack cloth.
Step 6: Prime Kitchen Cabinets With the Right Primer
Priming the cabinetry before painting can provide better paint adhesion and a smooth finish. If your cabinets are heavily stained, use a stain-blocking primer. This type dries quickly and seals knots and other surface defects that could come through the topcoat. In most cases, an oil-based or acrylic latex primer will work just fine. Follow these application tips:
- Pour some primer into the paint tray.
- Use a roller for large, flat surfaces and a brush along edges and tight spots.
- Coat the cabinet, doors, and drawer fronts with a coat of primer.
- Start at the top of the cabinet and brush on the primer across the grain.
- Pass the brush lightly over the wet finish in the direction of the grain. Always use a single strong pass from one end to the other.
- Paint the underlying structure of the cabinets and doors with a brush.
- Allow the primer to dry, and wash the brush and roller sleeve.
- Pour excess primer back into the can before washing the paint tray.
![](https://s42814.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/July08_Step2.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Step 7: Sand Primed Kitchen Cabinet Surfaces
Using fine-grit sandpaper, lightly sand primed surfaces to create a smooth base for the paint. Wipe away any dust before painting.
![](https://s42814.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/july08_step3.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Step 8: Paint Kitchen Cabinets With High-Quality Enamel
Paint the kitchen cabinets with high-quality enamel paint. Some of the most popular brands include Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and Behr. Follow these instructions for painting cabinet boxes, doors, and drawers:
- Pour the cabinet enamel paint into the paint tray and load the brush and roller with paint.
- Use a brush to cut in along the edges. Push the paint into the corners.
- Use a roller to apply enamel paint to large, flat surfaces.
- Go back and apply even roller strokes to remove tool marks.
- For the cabinet interiors, apply the paint with a smooth-surface mini roller.
- After you finish applying the first coat, cover the brush and roller with a plastic bag to prevent them from hardening while you wait for the first coat to dry.
- Wait for the top coat to dry before applying the next coat. Oil-based paints take about 24 hours to dry, and latex or water-based paints take four to six hours. You can speed up the drying process by using a fan.
- Between coats, lightly sand the surfaces and clean up the debris with a tack cloth.
- Apply a second coat. This should provide a perfect, consistent finish without thin or light areas where the wood might show through.
![](https://s42814.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/july08_step4.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Step 9: Reassemble Your Painted Kitchen Cabinets
Once the second coat dries, it’s time to put everything back together.
- Remove the tape with the door’s number and install the hinges, knobs, and pulls.
- Hang them in their original opening.
- Reinstall each drawer.
![](https://s42814.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/july08_step6.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Common Kitchen Cabinet Painting Mistakes To Avoid
Mistakes are normal, but you can also avoid them. Below are common errors that can ruin a cabinet paint job.
Not Prepping Properly for Cabinet Painting
Failure to prep the kitchen cabinets properly can lead to paint landing where it shouldn’t be. It can also result in your new paint peeling, chipping, or cracking because it didn’t adhere properly to the cabinet surface.
Using the Wrong Paint for Kitchen Cabinets
Not all types of paint are meant for kitchen cabinets. Avoid latex paint with vinyl and opt for a semigloss, gloss, or satin finish. Flat and matte finishes are often more difficult to clean, which isn’t ideal for use in the kitchen.
Rushing the Kitchen Cabinet Painting Process
Pro-level results require patience. If you complete the job too quickly, your cabinets could have uneven coats, streaks, or drips.
How Much Does It Cost To Paint Kitchen Cabinets?
Expect to pay $20–$50 per hour* on top of the cost of supplies to hire a professional painter. The total cost to paint a kitchen is about $840 for professional services, but costs can range between $300 and $7,200 depending on where you live, the size of the kitchen, cabinet condition, the complexity of the project, and the type of paint you use. Most DIYers spend between $200 and $300 on paint, primer, tape, brushes, drop clothes, and other tools and materials to paint their kitchen cabinets.
Tips for Painting Kitchen Cabinets
Use the following tips and tricks when painting your kitchen cabinets to help ensure professional-looking results:
- Allow ample drying time to prevent smudges and imperfections
- Apply a clear topcoat for added durability and sheen
- Maintain a wet edge while painting to avoid lap marks
- Sand between coats for an ultra-smooth feel
- Use a paint sprayer for the smoothest possible finish
Our Conclusion
Painting kitchen cabinets is a relatively simple, cost-effective way to refresh your kitchen. By following the right steps, such as thoroughly prepping the area, choosing high-quality materials, and applying the paint meticulously, you can achieve professional-level results.
FAQ About Painting Kitchen Cabinets
Yes, you must sand cabinets before painting if you want the paint to adhere properly to the surface. You don’t need to remove the old paint completely. Just sand enough to give the primer a good surface to stick to.
It’s possible to paint over your kitchen cabinets, but you could run into some problems. Adding new paint over the existing paint could make the doors thicker, and painting without cleaning the surfaces could result in oils ruining the paint job.
You can use several types of paint on kitchen cabinets. Most experts recommend a high-quality oil or latex paint—without acrylic—in a semigloss, gloss, or satin finish.
Yes, painting kitchen cabinets can be a good idea. Painting offers significant cost savings compared to replacing the cabinets. It’s also eco-friendly and easier than replacing them.
If you don’t sand before painting kitchen cabinets, the paint could chip or peel because it may not adhere properly to the surface. Sanding before each coat of paint also ensures the next coat goes on well and has a durable finish.
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